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    AI in ASIA
    3 Before 9 - AI signals from Asia
    Monday, 19 January 2026

    3 Before 9

    Your essential AI intelligence briefing. Three signals that matter, delivered before your first cup of coffee.

    Quick Context

    Who should pay attention

    AI leaders, founders, enterprise decision-makers, and teams deploying AI across Asia.

    What changes next

    Regulatory expectations tighten, infrastructure buildout accelerates, and enterprise AI governance matures.

    1

    China opens probe into Meta’s AI startup acquisition

    China’s commerce ministry has launched an investigation into Meta’s acquisition of Singapore‑based AI company Manus to determine if it complies with Chinese investment and tech export laws, reflecting rising scrutiny of overseas AI transactions amid US‑China tech competition.

    Why it matters for Asia

    regulatory pushback on major AI deals could slow cross‑border technology transfer and force global AI firms to navigate tighter controls in Asia’s largest market.^

    Read more
    2

    Nvidia unveils next‑generation AI tech at CES 2026

    At CES 2026 Nvidia introduced its Vera Rubin AI chip architecture with significantly improved performance, alongside new autonomous systems and robot integrations showcased across partners including AWS. This comes after news of [Nvidia AI Chip Sales to China Get US Nod](/news/nvidia-ai-chip-sales-to-china-get-us-nod) and [Nvidia's £100m+ AI Startup Investments Revealed](/business/nvidia-s-100m-ai-startup-investments-revealed).

    Why it matters for Asia

    faster inference and broader ecosystem support could accelerate AI deployment in cloud infrastructure, robotics, and autonomous vehicles in Asia and beyond. For businesses looking to integrate AI, understanding these advancements is crucial, as highlighted in [The AI Vendor Vetting Checklist: What Asian businesses should check before buying AI in 2026](/business/the-ai-vendor-vetting-checklist-what-asian-businesses-should-check-before-buying-ai-in-2026).^

    Read more
    3

    Game publisher rejects generative AI collaborations

    Hooded Horse, the studio behind Manor Lords, has said it will not work with developers using generative AI, citing operational complexity and concerns about workflow impacts. This stance reflects a growing debate about [AI 'Slop' Eroding Social Media Experience](/life/ai-slop-eroding-social-media-experience) and its impact on creative industries.

    Why it matters for Asia

    resistance from parts of the creative and tech industry highlights ongoing debates around productivity, quality and workforce impact of AI tools. This also ties into broader discussions about [AI faces growing opposition over pollution, jobs](/news/ai-faces-growing-opposition-over-pollution-jobs).^

    Read more

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